Welcome to a show about how to deal with the end of a relationship. My guest is Stephanie Macadaan, LMFT, who practices in Los Angeles. Her work focuses on couples and individuals who are healing from breakups and starting over. Stephanie runs a support group called Happily Ever After Divorce: Healing Support for Women. This conversation is relevant to almost everyone, because the end of a relationship is a universal experience that most people go through at some point in their lives. Join us now.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

Why Stephanie is on a mission to guide people through these difficulties

Ways this pain and heartbreak can be experienced:

Conflicting emotions

Shame and embarrassment

Uncertainty

Feeling lost and out of control

The challenges of a breakup that are unique to women

Empowering attitudes

Myths about heartbreak and healing

How social media pressures us about relationships

Different stages of healing from breakups (similar to stages of grief)

Difference between marriage breakups and other relationships

Stephanie’s approach: a combination of gentleness and pushing them forward’

Learn lessons from the previous relationship before moving forward

Dynamics and catalysts through honest eyes

Self-awareness = Power

Why Stephanie hates the word “should”

Words of wisdom: “The end of a relationship is hard to understand unless you’ve been through it. There is great potential to learn more about yourself and create a life that you never thought possible.”